(TAN): The Trans-tasman travel bubble has reportedly ignited border wars between the Federal Government of Australia and at least two states of the country — Victoria and Western Australia (WA).
The two states, not part of the travel bubble that took off on October 16, hit out strongly at the management of the limited travel bubble by the federal government. While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews threatened to close his state’s borders over the row, WA Premier Mark McGowan has called for better management of the travel bubble, reported The Age.
After Andrews complained about the unauthorised entry of more than 50 travellers who arrived from New Zealand, to Victoria, McGowan has informed that 23 travellers arrived unannounced at Perth Airport, said media reports. The group of travellers, including a child, has been placed in hotel quarantine.
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“We would prefer better management of these arrangements,” McGowan was quoted as saying by the Mail Online.
The entire chaos started on the very first day of the travel bubble as news broke out that 17 passengers who flew into Sydney as part of the arrangement, caught a connecting flight to Melbourne, which is part of Victoria state.
But the quarantine-free travel corridor only covers New South Wales state, which is home to Sydney, and the Northern Territory. Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services later said as many as 52 travellers from New Zealand have entered Victoria territory, reported the media.
“We are not part of this bubble,” an upset Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews was quoted as saying by the media on Saturday. “I have written to the prime minister this morning and we’re disappointed this has happened.”
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The Victorian premier said Sunday that only 23 of the 52 people have been found till now. He said he would close his state’s borders unless federal authorities stop travellers who use the bubble from boarding planes for Victoria, The Age said.
Five New Zealand travellers were also found in Tasmania having flown from Sydney to Launceston via the Trans-Tasman bubble, and have been put into mandatory hotel quarantine, reported Mail online.
Earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Kiwi counterpart Jacinda Ardern had agreed upon a limited travel bubble deal in which New Zealanders would be able to visit New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital; and the Northern Territory of Australia from October 16 without having to quarantine upon arrival.
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Ardern however had made it clear that Kiwis have had to quarantine on their return home if they travel to Australia. Reacting to this Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Michael McCormack had said, “We want to make sure that there is two-way travel.”
The “one way” nature of the bubble had reportedly made Kiwis unhappy.
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